Step 1: Chin Strap Over Eyes

Step 2: Push the Strap Down Under Your Chin

It's surprisingly easy to do even if the strap is properly tight. The ancient ones who brought helmets to this planet must have designed our skulls t...

This is the right way to put on a helmet. You don't need to undo or adjust the strap every time.

Before a ride on my screaming motorcide-ickle I check the ballistic chute, nitrous tank, etc. Then I look up to see if my passenger is ready. Usually they are still messing with their helmet strap or trying to pound the helmet over their head.

Apparently the proper technique for putting a helmet on isn't widely known. So here it is.

There are a lot of hypothetical comments. Try it before criticizing it.I wear properly sized and safe helmets. I have tried this with a Shoei, Arai, and HJC street helmet and an HJC motocross helmet.It works.It is also somewhat painful, but that may be a function of the shape of my head. I have to loosen the strap slightly in order to get it to work and I therefore don't see any speed increase.So it's not for me, but it was very interesting.Thanks, Tim.

In effort to stay within the "be nice" Instructable comment policy. Anyone looking for information on the proper way to put on their helmet should consult the owner’s manual or other reputable sources :) If this technique works, you most likely need a smaller helmet or new padding (see Step 2 for example pictures).

My favorite question when someone asks about a specific helmets or how it fits (i.e open face vs. full face, tight vs. loose ...etc). Always in a politely tone, “Which one would you rather be wearing if I punch you in the face?” That’s should be the first one to consider buying, a Honda civic hits harder then Mike Tyson.

Sheesh... I used to do this all the time with my helmet, Loosened it a bit... put it on, tugged the strap, and voila, all safe and comfy. You'ns need ta lighten up with the gloom and doom! All he had to do was add a final step... tighten the strap, easy peasey!

me tooo!....this is provocative for death calling!!!...if police see you in mye country (greece) will send you home without moto and license and wiped out of about 400-500 euros!!! plus the decisio in the court which means 3 months at least without moto/license + some 500 euro + 5 points in 16 limit points in ponitsystem

From a safety point of view, if you're not really eyeballing the strap because you're just slipping the helmet on/off then you;re not going to catch wear and tear because when things become "easy" people tend to become complacent, especially about safety.

Plus to reiterate other comments, a loosely fitted helmet is either incorrectly sized, or worn and needs to be replaced. I think it would be fair to say that anyone who is really putting on their helmet this way might as well not bother wearing one!

For those that it isn't obvious to: Once the strap is under the chin it must be properly tightened, just wiggle the latch, while pulling the end of the strap. This applies to a double D type helmet fastening, other types may not be quite so compatible with this method. Read most of the sensible comments below this one, I ride and most of them are sound advice.

I was wondering whether to say anything and only decided to since I came across this for a second time. The point I'd like to make is that in order to do this you have to be able to remove your helmet without undoing the strap. If you are able to do this, then it can happen in the event of an accident. A helmet that can fly off in an accident is completely useless. At no point should you ever be able to move your strap over your chin when you are wearing your helmet. On the up side, the photos are pretty good, and the content is nice and light hearted.

geez, people are really harsh! whats it to them how u wanna wear ur helmet?! anyway, you can always just give the strap a quick pull to tighten once its on ur head, maybe this intructable is just a quck way to get ur helmet on ur head without undoing the strap??

A loose or ill-fitting helmet can come off in a crash or twist and cause neck injury. This instructable is not good advice. In addition, that Shoei helmet looks pretty old. Over time, the protective inner foam and padding deteriorates and becomes less effective in a crash. (Think: 15 year old styrofoam cooler) Although it'll cost ya, it's good practice to replace your helmet every 5 years or so, whether it's been damaged or not. You can find the date of manufacture sticker inside the lining.

Not trying to be rude but, if you can put on your helmet like that, you have the wrong size helmet. A properly sized helmet should fit tight. The cheekpads should push your cheeks in and you should be able to rapidly rotate your head side to side and the helmet SHOULD NOT move at all! The proper way to put on a helmet is to hold the straps in each hand and pull outward to stretch the width of the helmet and rock the helmet on. Again, not trying to be rude but, I hate to see someone get hurt due to the wrong helmet.

As a motorcyclist for over 25 years, I can only say that it is best to set the chin strap every time you put the helmet on to ensure a secure fit to your head. Although a clever trick, it will stretch the webbing and loosen the snug fit of the helmet eventually. If you fall off at even low speed your head is going to rattle around that helmet like a pea. Just my 2 cents...it's your head.

About This Instructable

Bio:Tim Anderson is the author of the "Heirloom Technology" column in Make Magazine. He is co-founder of www.zcorp.com, manufacturers of "3D Printer" output devices. His detailed drawings of traditional ...read more »